Activated Charcoal In Personal Care Products

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What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is essentially burnt wood. It is usually made from burning wood with dirt which helps decrease the amount of oxygen available. Activated charcoal is porous and is able to absorb other carbon molecules, these pores help activated charcoal “trap” other compounds.

Activated charcoal and poisoning

Activated charcoal is used in the emergency treatment to treat certain cases of poisoning. It helps prevent the poison from being absorbed into the body.

According to the Mayo Clinic, activated charcoal should not be used for alkalis (lye) and strong acids, iron, boric acid, lithium, petroleum products (e.g., cleaning fluid, coal oil, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner), or alcohols have been swallowed, since it will not prevent these poisons from being absorbed into the body.Activated charcoal has not been shown to be effective in relieving diarrhea and intestinal gas.

Consumer Reports did mention a small study of less than 300 people. The results showed that some participants did benefit from activated charcoal. Larger studies are needed to help support this finding.

Skin care and activated charcoal

I did a literature search and could not find documentation that supported any benefits when the using activated charcoal in skin care.

According to Consumer reports,

“Activated-charcoal face washes and creams often have product labels promising to clear up acne and clarify the skin by removing toxins from your pores. But there’s no published evidence, says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist at Skincare Doctors in Boston, to suggest this works, either. ”

Activated charcoal and toothpaste

According to Colgate, Back in ancient Roman times, people were using powdered charcoal as an ingredient in their toothpastes. Recipes for homemade toothpastes that date to the 19th century also feature charcoal as a key ingredient.”

We use less that 0.25% Activated charcoal in our oral care formulation. In fact we tell all our supporters, customers and buyers not to use pure activated charcoal as it tends to “tattoo” the gums. We make our oral care using a synergistic mix of ingredients with Coconut Oil, Vitamin C, Neem, Kaolin Clay, Calcium and activated charcoal.”

The American Dental Association suggests limiting the use of abrasive ingredients such as baking soda and activated charcoal, “Using materials that are too abrasive on your teeth can actually make them look more yellow. Enamel is what you’re looking to whiten, but if you’re using a scrub that is too rough, you can actually wear it away. When that happens, the next layer of your tooth can become exposed – a softer, yellow tissue called dentin.”

According to Consumer Reports, “There are no published studies on activated charcoal used for whitening, for example; one unpublished experiment presented at a dentistry conference noted that “fine black charcoal powder” could actually become embedded in cracks or small holes in the teeth—doing the opposite of whitening.”

Medication use and activated charcoal

According to web MD

“Activated charcoal absorbs substances in the stomach and intestines. Taking activated charcoal along with medications taken by mouth can decrease how much medicine your body absorbs, and decrease the effectiveness of your medication. To prevent this interaction, take activated charcoal at least one hour after medications you take by mouth.”

20 Comments

Hi,
I believe this is my first visit to your blog. I had no idea about all the different uses and bad uses for activated charcoal. I’m kind of stunned. The only use I knew of was in an Emergency Room right before they induce vomiting for an overdose.

We really do not know what we have been exposed to all of these years and it seems like they are coming up with new studies every day about previously good products being bad or vice versa.

Thank you so much for sharing the information you found about activated charcoal.

Fascinating! I recognized the term activated charcoal but actually had to read your article before I could make the connection to any products. I can’t say I’m surprised about the lack of supporting research. I do a lot of research for my own writing and it’s shocking how many published claims end up being proved wrong or completely bogus. Of course, nobody ever writes about that, do they? Thanks for the valuable information!

I make a soap with activated charcoal. It sells well, I think because people like a black soap. It has a different look. I am careful not to make claims about any of my soaps though. Soap is a wash off product and cleans.

As always, thank you so much for your information! I use activated coconut charcoal in a couple of my soaps, but I explain that it provides gentle exfoliation; I have also started adding a very small amount to my deodorants with the idea that it helps neutralize scent. Is the information I’m stating wrong??

Dr. Sharon,
I had wondered about whether activated charcoal was good to take as a supplement. So glad you have clarified what it really does and does not do for us. I guess I have no need to start using it now. I’ll stick to my antioxidants and polyphenols, reds and greens.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica

Hello there. I am a physician who will do her best to provide accurate health information and health tips for those interested in fitness and health. I would like to share what I know so that we can all live a bit healthier.
Contact me at
smclaughlinmdfacs@yahoo.com

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